Texas Deputy Killed by Suspected Drunken Driver

A Grayson County sheriff's deputy was struck and killed by a suspected drunken driver while directing traffic Saturday night.

Deputy Chad Christian Key was assisting other officers at the intersection of U.S. Highway 82 and Bethany Road near Sherman, Texas around 10:25 p.m. when the driver failed to stop and struck him, according to a sheriff's office news release.

The deputy was transported to Texoma Medical Center where he later died.

Key joined the sheriff's office in November 2009 as a corrections officer and became a deputy earlier this year after graduating from the North Texas Regional Police Academy.

He was only on patrol for 77 days before being killed in the line of duty.

Key is survived by his five and three sons.

The suspected drunken driver was arrested and had two previous convictions for DWI.

Funeral arrangements are pending.

Officer.com will provide more information on this story as it becomes available.